http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ ... 1015.story

Pub operator admits smuggling Irish workers into U.S.

March 15, 2006, 5:57 PM EST

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) _ A pub operator has admitted helping smuggle illegal aliens from Ireland into the United States by hiring people who worked or drank at her bar to pick them up in Canada and drive them across the border.

Bridget Campbell, 37, of Depew, faces sentencing June 9 after pleading guilty to smuggling charges in U.S. District Court.

Federal prosecutors said Campbell admitted arranging for at least 30 people from Ireland to illegally cross from Fort Erie, Ontario, into Buffalo.

In her plea, Campbell admitted she hired people from her bar to shuttle the aliens, who were charged a fee, and to coach them on what questions might be asked by border inspectors.

From Buffalo, authorities believe, most of those smuggled in traveled to New York City, where many got jobs in the food service industry.

The bar operator's husband, William John, said he was not familiar with the details of the smuggling operation and declined comment.

Authorities said other people were involved in the operation and that Campbell's role began once the Irish nationals had arrived in Fort Erie. Peter Smith, a supervisory agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said the investigation is continuing.

The smuggling took place between December 2003 and August 2004, according to court papers.

"Campbell got general descriptions of the persons to be smuggled into the United States. She obtained valid New York driver's licenses resembling the physical descriptions of the Irish nationals," prosecutor Gretchen Wylegala said in court papers.

The illegal aliens would often travel in one car, while a second driver would carry the luggage in a second car, authorities said.

Campbell admitted that she received a fee of $1,200 per alien. She then paid $300 to the people who drove the aliens over the bridge, $100 to those who picked up luggage and $50 to anyone who agreed to become a passenger in one of the smuggling cars.

Under her plea deal, Campbell agreed to forfeit $36,000 to the government.

___

Information from: The Buffalo News, http://www.buffalonews.com